Positive Health Online

Abstract

PONS and colleagues, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain write that determining the antioxidant status of various population groups is of great interest due to the probably benefits of these nutrients in the prevention of chronic disease .

Background

Methodology

The authors conducted a study to determine the vitamin C status of adults living in a region characterised by its high availability of food with high vitamin C content . Vitamin C intake and effect of non-nutritional factors upon plasma levels of vitamin C were also studied.

Results

The majority of the people had an adequate vitamin C status however it was established that a large proportion of the population was at risk of consuming inadequate amounts of vitamin C, the risk being considerably higher in male smokers . Women had higher vitamin C levels than men and this difference persisted even following adjustments for smoking habits. Womens vitamin C intake was also higher. Smoking affected mens vitamin C plasma levels negatively. Neither age nor season of data collected affected plasma levels of vitamin C and vitamin C intake was only influenced by season in men. There were no factors which significantly affected vitamin C intake or plasma vitamin concentrations in women. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that vitamin C intake and smoking habits make it possible to predict, in part, plasma vitamin C levels in men.

Conclusion

References

Pons IF et al. Vitamin C status of adults living in Valencia, Spain. Influence of non-nutritional factors on plasma vitamin C. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 67(4): 255-61. 1997 .